Apparatus for elevating tower structure



30, 1966 R. L. HEATHCOTE ETAL 3,269,705

APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING TOWERSTRUCTURE Original Filed Aug. 7. 1961 3Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Ralph L. Hearhcofe Hans C Bell 1966 R. L.HEATHCOTE ETAL 3,269,705

APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING TOWER STRUCTURE Original Filed Aug. 7, 1961 3Sheets-Sheet 2 28 FIG. INVENTORS 48 30 Ralph L. Healhcofe BY Hans C Bellg 1966 R. HEATHCOTE ETAL 3,269,705

APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING TOWER STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original FiledAug. 7 1961 r g Y un INVENTORS Ralph L. Healhcare y Hans C Bell FIG. 6

United States Patent 3.269.705 APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING TOWER STRUCTURERalph L. llcathcolc, Lansing. "L. and Hans C. Bell.

Hammond, lnd., assignors to Union Tank Car Company. Chicago. "L, acorporation of New Jersey Original application Aug. 7. 1961. Ser. No.129,58l, now Patent No. 3,235,956, dated Feb. 22, 1966. Divided and thisapplication Aug. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 486,252

7 Claims. .(Cl. 254-89) This is a division of application Serial No.129,581. filed August 7, 1961.

This invention relates in generally to the erection of a tower and inparticular to the erection of a tower of the type including a supportedtank.

lt is the general object of this invention to provide a means forerecting a tower of the type including a supported tank.

It is another object of this invention to provide a means for erecting atower of the type including a supported tank that is particularlysuitable for the erection of flared towers.

It is another object of this invention to provide a means for erecting atower of the type including a supported tank wherein the tank isassembled at ground level and subsequently lifted upwardly from theground while at the same time the tower is assembled in sections belowthe rising tank.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a means for erecting atower of the type including a supported tank wherein the tank isassembled at ground level and initially supported by being tied to asystem of supporting Columns before being lifted upwardly from theground and wherein the tower is assembled section by section as the tankrises.

it is another object of this invention to provide a means for erecting atower of the type including a supported tank wherein the tank isassembled at ground level and initially supported by being tied to asystem of supporting columns and wherein a plurality of lifting jacksare positioned around and under the tank and wherein the tank issequentially lifted upwardly from the ground while the tower isassembled section 'by section under the tank as the tank rises.

It is another object of this invention to provide a means for erecting atower of the type including a supported tank wherein the tank isassembled at ground level and initially supported by being tied to asystem of supporting columns and wherein a plurality of lifting jacksare positioned around and under the tank and also supported by thesystem of supporting columns and wherein the tank and plurality oflifting jacks are systematically and alternately untied from the systemof supporting columns so as to sequentially lift the tank and whereinthe tower is assembly section by section under the tank as the tankrises upwardly.

Briefly, the invention comprises a means for erecting a tower of thetype supporting a tank wherein the tank is assembled at ground level andlifted upwardly from th ground as the tower is assembled section bysection below the rising tank. A system of supporting columns isprovided and the tank is initially tied thereto and therefore supportedthereby. A plurality of lifting jacks are then positioned under the tankand the stationary portions thereof are securely tied to the system ofsupporting columns while the moveable portions thereof are secured tothe tank. The tank is then untied from the system of supporting columnsand the lifting jacks are extended thereby causing the first lift of thetank. The sections of the tower are then assembled under the lifted tankbut are not secured to the tank. Prior to the assembly 3,269,705 atentedAugust 30, 1966 ice P of the tower, the tank is retied to the system ofsupporting columns so that the lifting jacks can be positioned for thenext lift. The lifting jacks are next untied front the system ofsupporting columns and the extended portions of the liftingjacks areretracted. The lifting jacks are then repositioned under the tank andthe stationary portions of the lifting jacks are retiecl to the systemof supporting columns. The lifting jacks are extended once again therebycausing the second lift of the tank. The next succeeding sections of thetower are then assembled under the lifted tank and the process isrepeated step by step with the tank and the lifting jacks beingalternately tied to the system of supporting columns. Finally after thelast lift. the final sections of the tower are assembled on the towerand connected to the lifted tank. At this time. and only a this time,the tank is also supported on the assembled tower.

The invention both as to its organization and method of operation takenwith further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood byreference to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a flared tower. which may be erectedby practicing the disclosed inventron;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the supporting column system utilizedin erecting the tower illustrated in FIGURE 1:

FIGURE 3 is a partially cut-away front elevational view of the initialsteps in erecting a tower in accordance with the teachings of theinvention;

FIGURE 4 is a partially cutaway front elevational view of a further stepin erecting a tower in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a partially cut-away front elevational view of an additionalfurther step in erecting a tower in accordance-with the teachings of theinvention;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged partially cut-away cross sectional viewillustrating in detail a particular manner of associating the variouselements utilized in practicing the teachings of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a view taken along the line 7-7 in FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a view taken along the line 8-8 in FIGURE 6.

Referring now to the drawings, means for erecting a tower of the typeincluding a supporting tank embodying the features of the invention, maybe utilized to erect the tower structure 20 illustrated in FIGURE 1. Thetower structure 20 is comprised of an upper toroidal tank 22, asubstantially cylindrical tower portion 26, and a flared bottom towerportion 24. However, the invention is not limited to towers identical tothe tower 20 and tower structures of various configurations can beerected by the use of the invention.

Initially, a foundation 10, upon which the erected tower is to besupported, is constructed. The foundation 10 is also designed to supporta system of supporting columns 30, the function of which will bedescribed hereinafter. Subsequent to the construction of the foundation10, a system of supporting columns 30 comprised of a plurality ofsupporting columns 28 is erected. This system of supporting columns 30is best illustrated in FIGURE 2.

The system of supporting columns 30 performs the function of supportingthe upper toroidal tank 22 during the construction of the tower and alsosupports a plurality of lifting jacks 32 which raise the upper toroidaltank 22 to its desired level. After the tower 20 has been completed, thesystem of supporting columns may be allowed to retain intact andtherefore continue to support the upper toroidal tank 22. However, in acase of the erection of a flared tower, such as the tower luding thesubstantially cylindrical portion 26 and the lared bottom tower portion24. The system of supportag columns 30 may be initially erected so as toextend he entire height required as illustrated in FIGURE 2, or any beassembled section on top of section as required, s the upper toroidaltank 22 ascends towards its desired :vel due to the urging of aplurality of lifting jacks 32.

The system of supporting columns 30 is comprised of plurality ofsupporting columns 28, all of which are T hapcd and which are assembledwith the top of the T acing inwardly of the circle they define. A basesupiort member 34 is provided to interconnect the plurality ifsupporting columns 28. The base support member 4 is somewhat wheelshapedhaving provided therein poked members which intersect at the center ofthe base upport member 34 and which terminate adjacent the up of the Tshaped faces of the supporting columns 28. similar support member 36 isprovided at the top of he system of supporting columns 30 and othersupporting nembers interconnecting the plurality of supporting coltmns28 may be provided as required.

Subsequent to the construction of the foundation 10, md the assembly ofthe system of supporting columns t0. the upper toroidal tank 22 isassembled. The upper oroidal tank 22 is assembled at ground level asillustrated n FIGURE 3 and is secured to the system of supporting:olumns 30 by means (not shown). However, the means -ould he welding,pinning, bolting or whatever. If the .ystcm of supporting columns 30 isinitially constructed its ultimate height. then, openings must beprovided in he inner roof 21 of the upper toroidal tank 22 to faciliatethe piercing of the roof 21 of the upper toroidal tank 22 by thesupporting columns 28.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the tower in its initial formaive position andbefore the first lift or elevation of the ippcr toroidal tank 22. Thefoundation 10 has been onstructed, the system of supporting columns haseen positioned and the upper toroidal tank 22 has been iCCUfCd to thesystem of supporting columns 30. Next, I. plurality of lifting jacks 32are positioned under the ipper toroidal tank 22 in order to subsequentlyraise the tpper toroidal tank 22.

The plurality of lifting jacks 32 are comprised essenially of twoportions, a stationary portion and a movtble portion or rod 42. and thisis best illustrated in IGURE 6. The stationary portion 40 of the liftingjacks \2 is secured through a pivotal member 41 directly to the:upporting columns 28. and in the illustrated embodiment if theinvention. this is accomplished by a plurality of letachable fasteners44. for example, bolts and associated lLliS. best shown in FIGURES 6 and8. The plurality of ifting jacks 32 are connected to a spoked stiffeningnember 48 and permanently secured thereto. Specificaly, the pivotalmember 41 of each jack 32 is permanently tccured to the stiffeningmember 48 by a pivot pin 43. The spoked stiffening member 48 comprises aplurality 3f intersecting and integral spokes 50 extending from a:entral hub (not shown) and terminating just short of be outside of thesupporting columns 28 as best illusrated in FIGURE 6. Before and duringthe lifting of Lhe upper toroidal tank 22, the spoked stiffening member48 is secured to the supporting columns 28 by any feasiwle means, suchas bolting or the like. The outer ends Jf the spokes 50 are slotted soas to extend around the nner face of the T shaped supporting columns 28.One of the functions of the spoked stiffening member 48 is io equalizethe load between the various lifting jacks 32.

Positioned at the top of the stationary portion 40 of the lifting jacks32 are guide elements 52. A guide ele- 4 mcnt 52 is best illustrated inFIGURES 6 and 7. The movable portions or rods 42 of the lifting jacks 32extend through the guide elements 52, and the guide elements 52 extendaround the inner face of the T shaped supporting columns 28 so as to beslidably secured to the supporting columns 28 as best illustrated inFIGURE 7. The guide elements 52 prohibit any pivotablc movement by thelifting jacks 32.

The upper ends 52 of the movable portions or rods v42 of the liftingjacks 32 are permanently secured to a stiffening ring 56 by welding orthe like at least until the tower has been erected. The stiffening ring56 is comprised of a plurality of spokes and an integral outer ringportion permanently welded to a provided skirt portion 66 integrallyformed in the upper toroidal tank 22 as best seen in FIGURES 3 through6. Each of these spokes is secured to corresponding upper ends 52 ofcorresponding lifting jacks 32.

A pivotable arm 60 extends upward from each upper end 52 of each movableportion 42 of the lifting jacks 32 and is therefore permanently securedto the stiffening ring 56 and hence the upper toroidal tank 22. As seenin FIGURE 6, the pivotable arms 60 are detachably fastened to thesupporting columns 28 by suitable bolts and associated nuts 62 and,further, are permanently secured to the stiffening ring 56 by pivot pins63, respectively. The pivotable arms 60 are, of course, not secured tothe supporting columns 28 during the lifting of the upper toroidal tank22 and are bolted to the supporting columns 28 only after the lift hasbeen completed. The plurality of pivotable arms 60 connect or tie theupper toroidal tank 22 to the supporting columns 28 when the uppertoroidal tank 22 is not being lifted during construction of the tower20.

After each lift of the upper toroidal tank 22, and after the uppertoroidal tank 22 has been tied to the supporting columns 28 by the boltsand associated nuts 62, the lifting jacks 32 are moved up and retractedat the same time. As previously stated, the movable portions 42 of thelifting jacks 32 are permanently secured to the stiffening ring 56 ofthe upper toroidal tank 22, and after a lift has occurred and themovable portions 42 have been extended, the stationary portions 40 ofthe lifting jacks 32 are released or untied from the supporting columns28 by the removal of the bolts 62 and the spoked stiffening member 48 isdisengaged from the supporting columns 28 by removal of the bolts 44.The lifting jacks 32 and the spoked stiffening member 48 are thenelevated until the lifting jacks 32 have been totally retracted and inposition for a new lift. At this time, the spoked stiffening member 48and the stationary portions 40 of the lifting jacks 32 are secured ortied to the supporting columns 28 as previously discussed.

Assembly A tower, such as the tower illustrated in FIGURE 1, may beassembled in accordance with the teachings of the invention by firstconstructing a foundation 10 to support both the flared bottom towersection 24 and the cylindrical tower sections 26 to eventually helpsupport the upper toroidal tank 22. The foundation 10 is constructed toalso support the system of supporting columns 30.

Next, the system of supporting columns 30, best il' lustrated in FIGURE2, comprising a plurality of spaced T shaped supporting columns 28 isassembled. The system of supporting columns 30 as previously stated canbe assembled at one time, or can be assembled in sections withadditional sections being welded to the top of the previous sections asthe tower is being erected. If, for example, the system of supportingcolumns 30 is erected at one time, then openings must be provided in theinner roof 21 of the upper toroidal tank 22 to allow the supportingcolumns 28 to pass through the inner roof 21 of the upper toroidal tank22. After the system of supporting columns 30 has been assembled andpositioned on the foundation 10, the upper toroidal tank 22 may beassembled and tied to the system of supporting columns 30 in a positionsuch as illu trated in FIGURE 3. The upper toroidal tank 22 may be tiedto the system of supporting columns 30 as desired. however, the uppertoroidal tank 22 can be tied to the system of supporting columns 30 bymeans of a plurality of pivotable arms attached to the upper end of themovable portions 42 of the lifting jacks 32 as illustrated in FIGURE 6.This requires. however. that the lifting jacks 32 be positioned beforethe upper toroidal tank 22 is assembled.

The spoked stiffening member 48 and the plurality of lifting jacks 32are tied to the system of supporting columns 30 either before the uppertoroidal tank 22 is assembled or after the upper toroidal tank 22 isassembled, depending of course on how the upper toroidal tank 22 is tiedto the system of supporting columns 30. This is optional. member 48 issecured to the supporting columns 28 by As previously stated, the spokedstiffening any convenient means, and the plurality of lifting jacks 32are secured to the plurality of supporting columns 28 by means of boltsand associated nuts 44. The guide elements 52 are positioned aspreviously stated and as illustrated in FIGURE 7 to prevent any movementother than the vertical movement of the movable portions 42 of thelifting jacks 32. The upper ends 51 of the movable portions 42 of thelifting jacks 32 are permanently connected to the stiffening ring 56 viapivot pins 63. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, theextensions thereof or the pivotable arms 60 of the lifting jacks 32 aredetachably secured by means of bolts and associated nuts 62 tothesupporting columns 28 to tie the upper toroidal tank to the system ofsupporting columns 30. The spoked still'ening member 48 and theplurality of lifting jacks 32 are positioned as shown in FIGURE 3, thatis. with the lifting jacks 32 not extended and in position ready toperform the first lift of the upper toroidal tank 22. In the positionillustrated in FIGURE 3, the upper toroidal tank 22 is supported solelyby the system of supporting columns 30, and therefore the flared bottomtower portions 24 may be welded to one another at this time and do notperform any supporting functions.

The first lift is performed by first untying the upper toroidal tank 22from the system of supporting columns and supporting the upper toroidaltank 22 on the pittralily of lifting jacks 32. The lifting jacks 32 areenergized by means (not shown) and not forming a part of this invention.and the movable portions or rods 42 of the lifting jacks 32 areextended, thereby pushing the upper toroidal tank 22 upwardly. After themovable portions 42 of the lifting jacks 32 have been completelyextended, the first lift is complete.

The pivotable arms 60 of the lifting jacks 32 are then bolted to thesupporting columns 28 to thereby secure the upper toroidal tank 22 tothe system of stipporting columns 30. At this time, all the supportingof the upper toroidal tank 22 is again done by the system of supportingcolumns 30, and therefore the lifting jacks 32 can be released from thesystem of supporting columns 30 and repositioned for the second lift.The repositioning for the second lift is illustrated in FIGURE 4. andafter the first lift has been accomplished. the second flared bottomtower section 24 may be welded to the first flared bottom tower section24 as illustrated in FIG- URE 4. The lifting jacks 32 and the spokedstiffening member 48 attached to lifting jacks 32 are positioned for thesecond lift by first disconnecting the spoked stiffening member 48 andthe stationary portions of the lifting jacks 32 from the system ofsupporting columns 30, and this is done by removing the bolts 44.Therefore, at this time, the lifting jacks 32 and the spoked stiffeningmember 48 are disconnected from the system of supporting columns 30. Thespoked stiffening member 48 and the lifting jacks 32 are then liftedupwardly by means (not shown) and which do not form a part of thisinvention. As the spokcd stiffening member 48 and the lifting jacks 32are moved upwardly, the extended movable portions 42 of the liftingjacks 32 telescope within the stationary portions 40 of the liftingjacks 32. The lifting jacks 32 are completely retracted when the guideelements 52 of the lifting jacks 32 are in near proximity with thestiffening ring 56 of the upper toroidal tank 22. The guide elements 52need not be detached from the supporting columns 28 inasmuch as theirconstruction enables the guide elements to slide up the faces of the Tshaped supporting columns 28 as can be seen in FIGURE 7.

After the spoked stiffening member 48 and the lifting jacks 32 have beenpositioned for the second lift as illustrated in FIGURE 5, thestationary portions 40 of the lifting jacks 32 via the pivotal members41 are secured to the supporting columns 28 by the bolts and associatednuts 44. The upper toroidal tank 22 is then untied from the supportingcolumns 28 by removing the bolts 62 asso ciated with the pivotablemembers 60. The upper toroidal tank 22 is now supported only by theplurality of lifting jacks 32 and can therefore be lifted upwardly byactivation.

of the lifting jacks 32. The lifting jacks 32 are again activated andthe movable portions or rods 42 of the lifting jacks 32 are thereforeextended thus pushing the upper torodial tank 22 up one more step. Afterthe second lift, one section of the substantially cylindrical towersection 26 of the tower 20 may be assembled and welded to the flaredbottom tower sections 24 previously assembled.

Further lifts occur in the same manner and additional tower sections 26are assembled as the upper toroidal tank 22 moves upwardly. The uppertoroidal tank 22 is supported by the system of supporting columns 30until the last lift has been accomplished and not until the final liftof the upper toroidal tank 22 is the upper toroidal tank 22 eversupported by the tower sections 24 and 26.

respectively. After the upper toroidal tank 22 is elevated to its finalposition. the upper toroidal tank 22 is permanently' secured to thesystem of supporting columns 30 by any means, such as welding, rivetingor the like. Also, the uppermost substantially cylindrical tower section26 of the tower 20 is welded to the skirt portion 66 of the uppertoroidal tank 22. and at this time, and only at this time. is the uppertoroidal tank 22 also supported by the tower sections 26 and 24 of thetower 20. If desired, both the system of supporting columns 30 and thetower sections 26 and 24 can both share in the support of the uppertoroidal tank 22. However, it is permissible to remove the portion ofthe system of supporting columns 30 within the tower 20 defined by theflared sections 24. if greater free space area is desired. Then, theupper toroidal tank 22 would be supported by the tower 20 alone and thesupporting columns 28 will act as braces and stiffeners.

While an embodiment described herein is at present considered to bepreferred, it is understood that various modifications and improvementsmay be made therein. and it is intended to cover in the appended claimsall such modifications and improvements as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

What is desired to be claimed and Patent of the United States is:

1. An apparatus for erecting a tower of the type includsecured byLetters ing a supported structure, comprising: a system of suptpportingcolumns and said mounting means connected said systemis cil'ective toraise said structure relative said system. while subsequent engagementof said con- :etor means with said system and then retraction of saidcond members relative to said first members with said ounting meansdisengaged from said system is effective I reposition said lifting jacksfor lifting said structure u'ther while holding said structure in itsinitially raised -\sition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in tat said first andsecond members of said lifting jacks lcscope relative to each other andextend downwardly 'om fifild connector 1'l'lC1ll'15.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in rat said mountingmeans includes a radially extending illening structure having aplurality of spokes engageble and disengageable with the columns of saidsystem.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by ad including guidemeans mounted on each of said :cond members and slidubly engagingcorresponding olumns.

5. An apparatus for erecting a tower of the type includtg a supportedstructure. comprising: a plurality of vercally disposed columns arrangedin a circle, a lifting jack djacent each of said columns and includingtelescoping rst and second members. said first members having means orsecuring to said structure and having connector means or disengageableconnection to said system of supporting olumns. said second members eachhaving mounting means for disengageable connection to a correspondingolumn. whereby vertical extension of said first members relative to saidsecond members with said connected to said structure and said connectormeans disengaged from corresponding columns and said mounting meansconnected to said system is effective to raise said structure relativeto said columns, while subsequent engagement of said connector meanswith said columns and then retraction of said second members relative tosaid first members with said mounting means disengaged fromcorresponding columns is effective to reposition said lifting jacks forliftmg said structure further while holding said structure in itsinitially raised position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that each of saidcolumns is substantially T-shaped in cross section, said mounting meansfurther including a radially extending stiffening structure having aplurality of spokes slidable on and engageable and disengageable withthe cross members of said T-shaped columns.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further characterized by and including guidemeans mounted on each of said members and slidably engagingcorresponding cross members.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 233,606 4/1961Australia. 783,915 10/1957 Great Britain. 842,272 7/1960 Great Britain.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

OTHELL M. SIMPSON, Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR ERECTING A TOWER OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A SUPPORTEDSTRUCTURE, COMPRISING: A SYSEM OF SUPPORTING COLUMNS ADAPTED TODISENGAGEABLY SUPPORT THE STRUCTURE, A PLURALITY OF LIFTING JACKSINCLUDING RELATIVELY MOVABLE FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS, SAID FIRSTMEMBERS HAVING MEANS FOR SECURING TO SAID STRUCTURE AND HAVING MEANS FORDISENGAGEABLE CONNECTION TO SAID SYSTEM OF SUPPORTING COLUMNS, SAIDSECOND MEMBERS HAVING MOUNTING MEANS FOR DISENGAGEABLE CONNECTION TOSAID SYSTEM OF SUPPORTING COLUMNS, WHEREBY VERTICAL EXTENSION OF SAIDFIRST MEMBERS RELATVE TO SAID SECOND MEMBERS WITH SAID SECURING MEANSCONNECTOR MEANS DISENGAGED FROM SAID SYSTEM OF SUPPORTING COLUMNS ANDSAID MOUNTING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SYSTEM IS EFFECTIVE TO RAISE SAIDSTRUCTURE RELATIVE TO SAID SYSTEM, WHILE SUBSEQUENT ENGAGEMENT OF SAIDCONNECTOR MEANS WITH SAID SYSTEM AND THEN RETRACTION OF SAID SECONDMEMBERS RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST MEMBERS WITH SAID MOUNTING MEANSDISENGAGED FROM SAID SYSTEM IS EFFECTIVE TO REPOSITION SAID LIFTINGJACKS FOR LIFTING SAID STRUCTURE FURTHER WHILE HOLDING SAID STRUCTURE INITS INITIALLY RAISED POSITION.